Table of contents for Autumn 2025 in Coding User

Modern artificial intelligence (AI) coding tools go much further than checking your syntax, and helping you debug your programs. AI tools can analyse your entire code, offer suggestions of what to do next, work out where your program should go next and more. Don’t expect them to replace a good coder – they won’t write your code for you. But clever use of AI tools can greatly reduce the time it takes to complete your programs, by identifying problems so you can nip them in the bud and produce coding solutions that would take a human coder hours to write. But what are these tools? GITHUB COPILOT From free, https://github.com/features/copilot If you’re scratching your head wondering what to do next with your program, you can ask GitHub Copilot a question.…

Python’s ability to create highly readable code, within a small set of instructions, has a considerable impact on our modern digital world. From being an ideal first programmers’ choice through to being able to create interactive stories and games; from scientific applications through to artificial Intelligence and web-based applications, the only limit to Python is the imagination of the person coding in it. It’s Python’s malleable design that makes it an ideal language for many different situations and roles. Even certain aspects of the coding world that require more efficient code still use Python. For example, NASA utilises Python both as a stand-alone language and as a bridge between other programming languages. This way, NASA scientists and engineers are able to get to the data they need without having to…

IT’S ALL MATHS, MAN You can get some really impressive results from the mathematical powers of Python, as maths is the driving force behind the code with most, if not all, programming languages. STEP 1 Open up the GUI version of Python 3, as mentioned you can use either the Shell or the Editor. For the time being, we’re going to use the Shell. If you’ve opted to use a third-party text editor, note that you need to get to the IDLE Shell for this part of the tutorial. STEP 2 In the Shell enter the following: As you can see, Python can handle some quite large numbers. STEP 3 You can use all the customary Mathematical operations: divide, multiply, brackets and so on. Practise with a few, for example:…

MASTERING MODULES Think of modules as an extension that’s imported into your Python code to enhance and extend its capabilities. There are countless modules available, and as we’ve seen, you can even make your own. STEP 1 Although good, the built-in functions within Python are limited. The use of modules, however, allows us to make more sophisticated programs. As you are aware, modules are Python scripts that are imported, such as import math. STEP 2 Some modules, especially on the Raspberry Pi, are included by default; the Math module is a prime example. Sadly, other modules aren’t always available. A good example on non-Pi platforms is the Pygame module, which contains many functions to help create games. Try: import pygame. STEP 3 The result is an error in the IDLE…

The worst thing about home printing is the cost of the cartridges. Whatever brand you buy, you have to choose between expensive ink cartridges and messy refills. Thankfully, there’s now a new option; HP’s Smart Tank system. Instead of cartridges, the printer has in-built tanks which you refill from disposable bottles. It’s easy, far cheaper and a lot better for the environment. With the HP Smart Tank 7005, printing is seamless from start to finish with a cartridge-free printer designed for the whole family. You can create a variety of outstanding-quality colour documents at a low cost, with up to three years of Original HP ink included in the box.”. Print with ease The HP Smart Tank 7005 can speed through multi-page documents with automatic two-sided printing. You get faster,…

Seagate’s new Ultra-Compact SSD is a lightning-fast, ultra-compact storage solution that meets the on-the-go demands of contemporary living. A powerful thumb-sized drive that easily attaches to your keyring, it gives access to your work or personal data at the flick of your wrist. With rapid transfer speeds of up to 1,000MB/s, you can quickly free up space on your PC, phone, tablet or gaming device on-the-go. It’s built to withstand the rigours of travel, and can withstand being dropped from three metres. It also features IP54 dust and water resistance, and a removable rubber sleeve for extra protection.. Eco aware The Seagate Ultra-Compact SSD is very eco-aware. Sustainability focused, it’s made with a minimum of 35% recycled materials by weight. It’s cable-free too. You can experience true plug and play…

Kevin Toms wrote the original Football Manager back in 1982. You might have played it on a ZX Spectrum, or even a ZX81. It was considered an all time classic in its day, and still played on various platforms decades later. With Football H Manager, he has re-created the addictive fun of that game, for modern devices. Available on the Mac, iPhone and iPad, the new game is as close to the 1982 original as possible. Pick your team, buy and sell players, work your strategy and go for it, with the Match Highlights showing what happens in an exciting way. There’s only one Kevin Toms… Kevin Toms Football H Manager is a game you can take with you and play any time, building up your saved game history of…

Python is one of the most respected and used programming languages in the world. It’s designed to help beginners get into code, but also has some amazingly powerful features that are utilised by data scientists and engineers around the world. You don’t need to look too far to Python at work. It’s used throughout the Internet, and helps drive some of the biggest projects and companies in a multitude of industries. In this section, we will look at what you will need to get started with Python. First steps into a new learning experience are always the hardest, but we’re here to help. Learn more >…

WHAT WE’RE USING Thankfully, Python is a multi-platform programming language available for Windows, macOS, Linux, Raspberry Pi and more. If you have one of those systems, then you can easily start using Python. ☐ COMPUTER Obviously you’re going to need a computer in order to learn how to program in Python and to test your code. You can use Windows (from XP onward) on either a 32 or 64-bit processor, an Apple Mac or Linux installed PC. ☐ AN IDE An IDE (Integrated Developer Environment) is used to enter and execute Python code. It enables you to inspect your program code and the values within the code, as well as offering advanced features. There are many different IDEs available, so find the one that works for you and gives the…

THE POWER OF PI While having a far more powerful coding platform on which to write and test your code is ideal, it’s not often feasible. Most of us are unable to jump into a several hundred-pound investment when we’re starting off and this is where the Raspberry Pi can help out. While having a far more powerful coding platform on which to write and test your code is ideal, it’s not often feasible. Most of us are unable to jump into a several hundred-pound investment when we’re starting off and this is where the Raspberry Pi can help out. The Raspberry Pi is a fantastic piece of modern hardware that has created, or rather re-created, the fascination we once all had about computers, how they work, how to code…

EDITING CODE You will eventually reach a point where you have to move on from inputting single lines of code into the Shell. Instead, the IDLE Editor will allow you to save and execute your Python code. STEP 1 First, open the Python IDLE Shell. When it’s up, click on File > New File, this will open a new window with Untitled as its name. This is the Python IDLE Editor, and within it, you can enter the code you need to create your future programs. STEP 2 The IDLE Editor is, for all intents and purposes, a simple text editor with Python features, colour coding and so on. You enter code as you would within the Shell, so taking an example from the previous tutorial, enter: STEP 3 As…

FUNKY FUNCTIONS A function is a command that you enter into Python in order to do something. It’s a little piece of self-contained code that takes data, works on it, and then returns the result. STEP 1 It’s not only data that a function works on. Functions can do all manner of useful things in Python, such as sort data, change items from one format to another, and check the length or type of items. Basically, a function is a short word followed by brackets. For example, len(), list(), or type(). STEP 2 A function takes data, usually a variable, works on it depending on what the function is programmed to do, and returns the end value. The data being worked on goes inside the brackets, so if you wanted…

Groov-e Atlas 2 alarm clock radio URL: www.groov-e.co.uk Price: £29.99, $34.99, 29,99 € This great little bedside FM radio does more than get you up in the morning. It has a 5W wireless charger on the top for your phone, and a USB port to charge devices that don’t support wireless charging. TOZO T20 Earbuds URL: www.tozostore.com Price: £39.99, $42.99, 38,06 € Earbuds don’t have to cost the Earth. This very affordable set offers a performance that belies its price, and has a 48.5-hour battery life, including the charges that are in the case. QDOS SnapStand Qi2 URL: www.qdossound.com Price: £79.99, $??, ??€ SnapStand Qi2 is a great travel charger. Powered by Qi2 technology, it offers a fast, stable charging experience up to 15w for any Qi2 smartphone or MagSafe…

DxO PureRAW 5 introduces powerful local adjustments, allowing photographers to fine-tune noise reduction and lens sharpness optimisation on the most complex and demanding images with absolute precision. For images that require detailed fine-tuning, photographers now have the option to focus the levels of denoising and detail extraction on specific parts of the image, and tailor levels of sharpening exactly as required. PureRAW’s automated processing is unmatched, but when an image needs a precision-focused approach, Local Adjustments provide the perfect solution. Users can draw multiple masks and adjust the Force Details and Luminance sliders to dial exactly what they need. In addition, it’s possible to target sharpening more precisely, focusing on specific parts of the image. Processing engine DxO PureRAW 5 includes the third generation of DxO’s original neural-network-powered RAW processing…

We’ve all been there. You dictate a quick message, hit send, and immediately regret it. The name’s wrong, the punctuation’s a mess and half the sentence is gibberish. Cue the follow-up; “Sorry, I’m using voice-to-text!” Flow is the first voice-first interface that works inside any app — Slack, Messages, Email, Docs and more — and instantly turns messy, real-world speech into polished, formatted writing. Whether you’re walking the dog and clearing your inbox, drafting a longer doc on your commute or whispering a Slack reply in a crowded space, Flow transcribes what you say and refines it with AI. That means no filler words, no autocorrect fumbles and no awkward phrasing. Just fast, fluent, professional-grade writing that sounds like you. Go with the flow Flow for iOS and Mac is…

PYTHON POWER Ever since the earliest home computers were available, enthusiasts, users and professionals have toiled away until the wee hours, slaving over an overheating heap of circuitry to create something akin to magic. These pioneers of programming carved their way into a new frontier, forging small routines that enabled the letter ‘A’ to scroll across the screen. It may not sound terribly exciting to a generation that’s used to ultra high-definition graphics and open world, multi-player online gaming. However, forty-something years ago it was blindingly brilliant. Naturally these bedroom coders helped form the foundations for every piece of digital technology we use today. Some went on to become chief developers for top software companies, whereas others pushed the available hardware to its limits and founded the billion pound gaming…

INSTALLING PYTHON 3.X Microsoft Windows doesn’t come with Python pre-installed as standard, so you’re going to have to install it yourself manually. Thankfully, it’s an easy process to follow. STEP 1 Start by opening your web browser to www.python.org/downloads/. Look for the button detailing the Download link for Python 3.x. Python is regularly updated, changing the last digit for each bug fix and update. Therefore, don’t worry if you see Python 3.7.0, or more, as long as it’s Python 3, the code in this book will work fine. STEP 2 Click the download button for version 3.x, and save the file to your Downloads folder. When the file is downloaded, double-click the executable and the Python installation wizard will launch. From here you’ll have two choices: Install Now and Customise…

STARTING PYTHON As when learning anything new, you need to start slow. You can pick up the pace as your experience grows, but for now, let’s just get something appearing on the screen. Don’t worry, you’ll soon be coding like a pro! STEP 1 Click on the Windows Start button, and start typing ‘idle’. The result will be the currently installed version of the Python IDLE on your system. You can Pin it to the Start for convenience, or click the icon to launch the Python Shell. STEP 2 The Shell is where you can enter code and see the responses and output of code you’ve programmed into Python. This is a kind of sandbox, if you will, where you’re able to try out some simple code and processes. STEP…

COMMAND THE CODE Using the code we created in the previous tutorial, the one we named hello.py, let’s see how we can run code that was made in the GUI at the command line level. STEP 1 When you first installed Python, the installation routine automatically included all the necessary components to allow the execution of code outside of the GUI IDLE; in other words, the command line. To begin with, click on the Windows Start Button, and type: cmd. STEP 2 As you did when launching the Python IDLE, click on the returned result from the search, the Command Prompt App. This will launch a new window, with a black background and white text. This is the command line, also called a Terminal in macOS, Linux, and Raspberry Pi…

VARIOUS VARIABLES We’ll be working with the Python 3 IDLE Shell in this tutorial. If you haven’t already, open Python 3 or close down the previous IDLE Shell to clear up any old code. STEP 1 In some programming languages, you’re required to use a dollar sign to denote a string, which is a variable made up of multiple characters, such as a name of a person. In Python this isn’t necessary, so, for example, in the Shell enter: name=”David Hayward” (use your own name, unless you’re also called David Hayward). STEP 2 You can check the type of variable in use by issuing the type () command, placing the name of the variable inside the brackets. In our example, this would be: type (name). Add a new string variable:…

We’ve got some great goodies for you this issue’s Showcase. If you’re after a new printer, check out the HP Smart Tank 7005, and kiss those expensive cartridges goodbye. TRIBIT Stormbox Blast 2 is an excellent portable speaker set, and for photographers, DxO PureRAW 5 adds some great new features. There’s a couple of AI-powered apps to peruse, and two awesome games.…

Featuring an 80W subwoofer with diamond reinforcement ribs, dual 45W mid-range drivers and two 15W silk dome tweeters, the StormBox Blast 2 delivers precise beats and notes. Its 2.1 channel design, powered by two advanced TI amplifiers, ensures balanced and dynamic sound, while dual large passive radiators enhance the bass for deeper resonance. You can also host the ultimate karaoke party with the TRIBIT speaker! Featuring professional-grade karaoke with adjustable Reverb effects, this versatile speaker supports dual wired and wireless microphones. With two 6.35mm inputs for wired mics, you can easily adjust the volume and bring the party to life!. Big battery To give your day the perfect soundtrack, the 30-hour playtime provides enough power to see you to the end of the party. And with TRIBIT’s innovative X-3D algorithm,…

Guardian of Light sees Lara Croft battle, grapple and swing her way through dense Mexican jungles in an isometric adventure that combines the Tomb Raider hallmarks of adventure and puzzle-solving with fast-paced combat and platforming. Faced with trap-laden temples to explore, toxic swamps to traverse and undead hordes to overcome, Lara must halt the evil plans of Xolotl, the god of death and misfortune, before he plunges the world into eternal darkness. Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light is the latest premium mobile title from Feral Interactive, continuing its approach of bringing top-quality desktop and console games to iOS and iPadOS without compromise. Using fully customisable controls for touchscreen twin-stick gameplay, or opting to play using one of the many supported gamepads, players can tackle perplexing puzzles and cunning…